US OPEN RELATED STORIES US Open Home Page US Open Preview Round 1: Rain washes out most of Thursday's play Round 1: Mixed blessings for player on Thursday Round 1: Mike Weir leads US Open with a 64 Round 1: Emotional day for Mickelson at US Open Round 1: Champions grouping struggles Round 1: Late bogies drop Tiger Woods to a 74 Round 1: Flash of old form from David Duval Round 2: Ricky Barnes leads with record low score Round 2: Bad luck pegs Tiger Woods eleven back Round 2: Big names miss the cut at Bethpage Round 2: Phil Mickelson hits a shot to remember Round 2: David Duval stays in contention Round 3: Lucas Glover & Ricky Barnes share lead Round 3: David Duval still in the hunt Round 3: Barnes clings on top of the leaderboard Round 3: Woods & Mickelson loom on Monday Round 4: US Open set for exciting Monday finish Round 4: Glover holds on to claim two shot win Round 4: Tiger Woods charge blunted by putting Round 4: Ricky Barnes positive despite final 76 Round 4: Almost remarkable comeback for Duval Round 4: Phil Mickelson US Open runner up again Round 4: McIlroy happy with first US Open Course Guide: Bethpage Black - Set Up Tiger Woods favourite for US Open defence Phil Mickelson the fans choice in New York Players expect Bethpage to be fair challenge Trevor Immelman out of US Open US Open tee times Major winners grouped together Bethpage - The people's course In form Paul Casey seeking major breakthrough Sergio Garcia trying to shake off labels Padraig Harrington insists changes worthwhile Rocco Mediate still centre of attention Geoff Ogilvy expecting a tough week Struggling stars may suffer at Bethpage Wet weather makes US Open even tougher Angel Cabrera amongst the golfing elite Fans all pulling for Phil Mickelson US Open Scores 2009 PGA Tour Schedule and Results 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 COMPETITIONS, GIFTS AND OFFERS WIN 2 nights/3 rds at The Vale Resort £10,000 of Teeofftimes prizes in April! WIN Healthspan Supplements WIN tickets to the National Golf Show! Open Champion Tom Watson's DVD Get the Open Fairways card for just £59!

Rory McIlroy happy with first US Open showing

Rory McIlroy finished his first U.S. Open with a flourish, posting a two-under-par 68 in tricky conditions on Monday and said the Bethpage experience bolstered his confidence.

The 20-year-old Briton tied for 10th on two-over par at the weather-delayed championship in a group of six that included Sergio Garcia and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir.

“It’s been a great week, a long one, but I feel like I have done very well,” the Northern Irishman said. “I have made a great start to my Majors career—20th in the Masters. So it’s been a good start.”

“I feel I have the game to compete in majors and those results have given me a lot of confidence.”

McIlroy said he was flying Monday night to Munich for the BMW International and would take a week off before the Loch Lomond event and then on to the Open at Turnberry.

“I don’t know if I have a better chance to win a major on a links course because I have a very high ball flight,” he said. “If a links course is calm I feel I would have a very good chance.

“Hopefully Turnberry will be benign this year.”

McIlroy did not get much of a taste for the New York area since there were so many early mornings and sunset finishes because of restarts due to rain delays.

“All I have seen this week is the golf course and bed but that’s just how it has gone—I couldn’t do anything else,” he said, though the spirited New York crowd provided memories.

“We were on the 10th tee on Saturday evening, me and Anthony Kim. The crowd are all roaring and shouting,” McIlroy said about the late start for the third round after the galleries had enjoyed a long day of refreshment.

“Kim hits his tee shot, then they announce me. They start chanting ‘Rory-Rory-Rory-Rory’ so I can’t tee off for about five minutes.

“While I am waiting I see this guy out the right corner of my eye. He walks about five yards, throws up because he has had so much to drink and then he runs back to the rope and starts shouting again. Now that is a loyal supporter!”

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